Every train journey counts. For the climate and for customers. Deutsche Bahn trains on the electrified DB long-distance services in Germany are not only powered by 100 percent renewable power. Thanks to BahnBonus, travelers can also collect points with every ticket they book and secure many other benefits. In this way, Deutsche Bahn rewards sustainable travel with attractive and ecologically sustainable rewards. This makes BahnBonus one of the most environmentally friendly reward programs.
But Deutsche Bahn is not only making her rewards world sustainable. With the BahnBonus app, she has also created a purely digital offer and saves an average of around two tons of plastic per year by completely dispensing with plastic membership cards. Thanks to the CO2Compass, BahnBonus members can also transparently see the individual CO2e savings of their rail journeys compared to the car - directly in the app.
Collect BahnBonus points
BahnBonus members can collect points every time they buy tickets and BahnCards - but also with many mobility, hotel and other Deutsche Bahn partners. Deutsche Bahn is in close contact with them to jointly define a uniform standard of ecological sustainability for the BahnBonus rewards program. The DB is already increasingly focusing on ecologically sustainable partner offers and creating incentives so that BahnBonus members make the ecologically better choice. For example, renting an electric car instead of a combustion engine with partners is rewarded with more points.
Redeem bonus points in the BahnBonus world of rewards
Members can redeem the reward points they collect in the rewards store for attractive rail, donation, partner or non-cash rewards. With vouchers from Call a Bike or Europcar's e-fleet, there are various offers for environmentally friendly onward travel. The entire range of non-cash rewards has been in line with defined principles of ecological sustainability since 2024. Rail and donation rewards are also sustainable. In the social sector, these include donations to the station mission and the "Bündnis für Kinder. Gegen Gewalt". The selection of ecological donation projects will also be expanded in the future. Currently, BahnBonus members can already donate bonus points to the Bergwaldprojekt e. V. and thus support the planting of native trees in various regions of Germany. Since the beginning of 2025, it has also been possible to donate the points collected to ecological conservation projects in Destination Nature areas. For example, the world of rewards includes projects to protect the forest birch mouse in the Bavarian Forest National and Nature Park and the grey seal in the South-East Rügen Biosphere Reserve.
In addition, the entire range of premium products has complied with defined principles of ecological sustainability since 2024. In the BahnBonus world of rewards, members can find a variety of non-cash rewards for their trip - from durable suitcases and reusable cups to headphones made from recycled materials. For all these non-cash rewards, Deutsche Bahn has selected a particularly ecologically sustainable solution that is currently available on the market. Offering BahnBonus members the most attractive and environmentally friendly product possible is not easy. DB has therefore defined a comprehensive guideline with principles. It contains detailed criteria for the various phases of a product's life cycle, as well as for packaging and shipping to members.
Transparent product testing in three steps
Ecological Sustainability
The criteria for the ecological sustainability of products relate to their manufacturing process and use. Deutsche Bahn distinguishes between different material groups: Different criteria apply to products made of wood and paper than to products made of textiles or metal. These detailed criteria and the corresponding transparent principles ensure that all non-cash bonuses meet DB’s high standards. The principles and criteria are continuously being developed. In future, product packaging will therefore also be included in our assessments.
An overview of our principles and reasons for exclusion is linked here (only available in German).
Shipping packaging
A sustainable product experience also includes how the goods arrive with the members. That's why Deutsche Bahn only sends BahnBonus rewards in certified or recycled cardboard packaging. Alternatives are reusable mailing bags made from recycled materials. The filling material used must not contain any new plastics either but must consist of certified or recycled cardboard and paper materials. In addition, the principle of using as little packaging material as possible always applies. This helps to avoid unnecessary waste.
Shipping
Currently, Deutsche Bahn is not always able to track the entire supply chain for the non-cash rewards in the BahnBonus world of rewards. What can be ensured, however, is climate-friendly shipping to the members. Wherever possible, DB relies on logistics partners who can ensure climate-friendly shipping. In Germany, for example, this is DHL Go Green.
Product testing in concrete terms
The demand for ecological sustainability will continue to evolve. Globalized supply chains and industry-specific legislature require careful consideration of each individual product. For this reason, Deutsche Bahn has defined ten principles and five reasons for exclusion when selecting ecologically sustainable non-cash rewards. As transparency is of great importance for DB, an overview of all the principles as well as an example check for a book and a backpack have been linked here (only available in German).
Climate protection upgrade with the BahnBonus status levels
In addition to reward points, travelers can also collect status points with BahnBonus and achieve one of three status levels. With the status levels, members benefit from many attractive advantages related to climate-friendly travel with DB. These include offers such as a 30-minute free ride with Call a Bike, free travel for fellow passengers - but also access to the DB Lounge or discounts in the on-board catering.
